The Gun Is Good
Orbital Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The penis shoots seeds and makes new life to poison the earth with the plague of men.
The gun is good, the penis is evil.
Your god gave you the gift of the gun.

Are we not in the hands of a lunatic?
God isn't interested in technology.
He knows nothing of the potential of the microchip or the silicon revolution.
Look how he spends his time. Forty-three species of parrot, nipples to men.
If I were creating the world, I would have started with lasers, eight o'clock, day one!





Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Orbital's song, "The Gun is Good," are heavily steeped in social commentary and satire. It speaks to the idea that the human race is inherently good and evil, and that technology and progress have the potential to harm the Earth. The opening line, "The penis shoots seeds and makes new life to poison the earth with the plague of men," speaks to the idea that the human race is overpopulating and causing harm to the environment. While the line may be jarring, it speaks to the idea that humans are the source of many problems on the planet.


The next line, "The gun is good, the penis is evil," plays off of the idea that humans have a tendency to use violence to solve problems. The idea here seems to be that the gun has the power to bring about change quickly and effectively, but that its use can be harmful. The penis, on the other hand, is seen as something that is associated with life and sex, but can also bring about destruction in the form of unwanted children, sexually transmitted diseases, and societal issues like rape and sexual violence.


The final line, "Your god gave you the gift of the gun," is a commentary on the role of religion in society. It speaks to the idea that some religious people may believe that the use of violence is justified in certain situations, and that this belief could be dangerous. The following lines, "Are we not in the hands of a lunatic? God isn't interested in technology. He knows nothing of the potential of the microchip or the silicon revolution," further emphasize the idea that religion and technology do not always mix.


Line by Line Meaning

The penis shoots seeds and makes new life to poison the earth with the plague of men.
Male sexuality is responsible for overpopulation and destructive human behavior, leading to the degradation of the natural environment.


The gun is good, the penis is evil.
In the context of society, firearms can be a force for good and defense, whereas male sexuality can be a source of corruption and harm.


Your god gave you the gift of the gun.
The ability to wield weaponry is seen as a divine right and bestowed upon humans by a higher power.


Are we not in the hands of a lunatic?
The fate of humanity is dependent on unpredictable and unstable forces, leaving us potentially vulnerable to chaos and destruction.


God isn't interested in technology.
The concept of a higher power is incongruous with the logic and scientific advancements of technology and innovation.


He knows nothing of the potential of the microchip or the silicon revolution.
Religious entities are disconnected from the rapidly evolving technological landscape and lack the expertise to comprehend its potential for change and progress.


Look how he spends his time. Forty-three species of parrot, nipples to men.
The irrationality and seemingly trivial preoccupations of religious figures further demonstrate their lack of relevance and authority in the modern world.


If I were creating the world, I would have started with lasers, eight o'clock, day one!
A hypothetical declaration that imagines a more efficient, technologically advanced creation of the world, suggesting that human progress is hindered by religious traditionalism and stagnation.




Contributed by Hunter S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Věrka Soukupová

:::::::S

Comments from YouTube:

@Leprutz

Such an underrated band. Just amazing

@dsmyify

Eh? Underrated? That's Orbital. They're not underrated!

@Leprutz

They are very underrrated. Most people nowadays don't know them anymore. It's just a shame. When I speak to people who listen electro, most of them don't know orbital or if they do know they don't usually like them that much. I think they are marvelous. Different than the chemical brothers, yes, but I would put them at the same level and yet they aren't. That's at least the impression I got.

@dsmyify

We have different definitions for the word underrated. They have been on the go since 91 and got a solid following. You don't do that if your underrated! OK, they might be unknown now to certain people, certain age groups, in certain countries; but Orbital are fucking legends mate! Glad you found them! Get some of their live stuff!

@Leprutz

I know them since them 98. And been following them ever since. I love their stuff. And maybe you are right that we might have a different deffinition for underrated. For me it means even if you have a following and are a legend (cause they obviously are) you can be underrated. But anyway. Glad we understand each other. I would love to see them life, though.

@lotusjim

Not by me they ain't. Originators of a sound, so copied, but never matched.

@Liqui7

Orbital remain legendary kings of Sci Fi vocal samples :)

@manico1

This is just unbelieveably badass

@user-yj6sy5ul6w

I want to listen to this on a Live concert

More Comments

More Versions